Board of Public Safety

Approved by the Board of Public Safety MINUTES April 2, 2025 Vol. 7, Page 634 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY Vote: Unanimous SPECIAL MEETING ZOOM March 13, 2025 A SPECIAL MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Attendance was by Zoom. Present were Mayor Elinor Carbone, the Board of Safety Commissioners Glenn McLeod, Gregg Cogswell, Tylar Young, and Joseph McElroy. Deputy Fire Chief David Tripp, Commissioner Doug Benedetto, Torringford Volunteer Fire Department Commissioners James Potter, and Scott Mills were in the Mayor’s Office. Commissioner Darlene Battle was absent. Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. DISCUSSION ON THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT SERVICES Mayor Carbone opened the discussion by presenting a letter from the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD), officially notifying the City of their intent to close on April 1, 2025, with a letter. *See addendum #1* She highlighted that TVFD has struggled for several years to recruit volunteers, and the department’s Commissioners now believe it is unsafe to continue operations due to insufficient staffing. TVFD Commissioner Jim Potter explained that the department cannot staff a truck during the day, and at night, only two or three volunteers respond to calls, many of whom lack the necessary training. This poses a liability to the City. He also noted that the East End of town has aged out of volunteering, and adding an increased call volume, the department sees this as a sign that the City should station a professional firefighting crew in the area to improve response times. Mayor Carbone emphasized that Torringford has been a formally organized department for 68 years. While they are not requesting anything in return for their service, they ask that the City continue honoring the tax abatement program for volunteers. Additionally, TVFD will return half its annual stipend to help support the City’s fire coverage efforts. Board members expressed their appreciation for TVFD’s long-standing service. Commissioner McLeod acknowledged the difficulty of volunteer recruitment and stressed the need for a plan to ensure fire protection in the East End. He noted that the Board of Safety has been working toward a solution for some time. Mayor Carbone confirmed that Deputy Chief Tripp is evaluating financial impacts and potential staffing solutions, but union negotiations and budget adjustments will be necessary before any decisions can be made. Commissioner Potter shared that TVFD had considered closing before the end of 2024 but made a final recruitment effort through social media. Despite running ads for three months, no new volunteers joined. Commissioner McElroy commended TVFD’s service, recognizing that maintaining a volunteer department requires long-term commitment and extensive training. He reiterated the need for a solution for East Side fire coverage. Commissioner Benedetto thanked Torringford for their dedication and acknowledged the department’s role in training recruits who later became career firefighters. He urged Chief Borden and Deputy Chief Tripp to collaborate on short- and long-term coverage plans, noting that the station’s current location presents challenges. Mayor Carbone assured the Board that this transition would take time and that she wanted them to be informed first. She reiterated the ongoing struggle to attract volunteers and shared that a press release has been prepared to share with the public. *See addendum #2* Commissioner Cogswell asked about the fate of TVFD’s Fire Police. Deputy Chief Tripp responded that Fire Police play an essential role in the City and will likely be integrated into the Police Department or Emergency Management. Mayor Carbone stated that further details will be available at the next Board of Safety meeting. Commissioner Benedetto suggested that the Fire Subcommittee be involved in the planning process. Commissioner McLeod noted that East Side coverage has been a long-standing goal of the Policy Subcommittee. Mayor Carbone explained that TVFD must first consult with their attorney. TVFD Commissioner Potter said to ensure that all donations and assets are allocated appropriately for East Side fire coverage. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner McLeod, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:29 p.m. Respectfully submitted by ATTEST: Heather Abraham, Asst. City Clerk CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK CAROL L. ANDERSON, CITY CLERK MINUTES Vol. 7, Page 635 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY SPECIAL MEETING ZOOM March 13, 2025 Addendum #1  MINUTES Vol. 7, Page 636 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY SPECIAL MEETING ZOOM March 13, 2025 Addendum #2 City Of Torrington MAYOR’S OFFICE Phone: (860) 489-2228 140 Main Street • City Hall Fax: (860) 489-2541 Torrington, CT 06790-5245 www.torringtonct.org For Immediate Release CONTACT: Elinor Carbone 860.489.2228 TORRINGTON, CT - March 13, 2025 JOINT PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY TORRINGFORD VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY OF TORRINGTON Volunteers are essential to the provision of a range of services, particularly emergency services, such as fire protection. For decades, the city of Torrington has benefited greatly from robust volunteer organizations, clubs and neighborhood support systems – one of the most important of which is our Volunteer Fire Departments. Globally, volunteers are increasingly more difficult to recruit and almost impossible to retain. Reasons most often cited by people when asked about volunteering are time constraints, burnout, mismatched opportunities, ill health, more demanding skillset, the requisite of ongoing training, and, in some cases, the concern of existing in a litigious environment. After expending almost $10,000 in recruitment efforts over the past several years and a concerted effort to increase its membership, through social media, radio ads, lawn signs, banners, and tabling events, the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department has reached a point where its Commissioners and members are faced with a critical decision about their continued viability. TVFD President James Potter said: “After weighing all of our options, particularly the continued challenge of recruiting volunteers, we regret that effective April 1, 2025, the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department must discontinue its fire support services.” Mayor Carbone added: “This is a sad end of an era! The Torringford Volunteer Fire Department has provided 68 years of proud service to our community – in many ways shaping our identity and culture. The existence of this iconic organization was only possible because of the hundreds of men and women that voluntarily trained and responded to emergencies in the City and the immeasurable charitable contributions and support that the businesses and residents in the East End provided to the Department.” Torringford Volunteer Fire Department was formed in 1957 and its mission was to serve our community through the preservation of life, property, and the environment with integrity, professionalism, and compassion. The members of the Board of Safety commented: “We are, beyond words, grateful for the volunteers that built and sustained this high functioning, professional fire-fighting organization and the fire police program that they helped to establish.” Their membership consisted of local community volunteers who received their training from regional fire schools in the state and in-house training from members with decades of experience in the fire service spanning various roles, including firefighter, fire police, and cadet. Their active fire support services supplemented our career department and was a training ground for some of our career firefighters resulting in over 25 career firefighters that joined the Torrington Fire Department over the years. Fire Deputy Chief David Tripp added: “This was, clearly, a very difficult decision for the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department and their only request of the city is that we exert all efforts to honor the mission of their organization and work collaboratively with the Commissioners to continue the level of fire service coverage that has been provided over the MINUTES Vol. 7, Page 637 BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY SPECIAL MEETING ZOOM March 13, 2025 past 68 years in the existing building located on East Main Street and owned by Torringford Volunteer Fire Department.” As we all know, things change over time but what will not change is the commitment of the City of Torrington to serve and protect our residents and their property in the East End and our community. Mayor Carbone further commented: “With a grateful heart, we offer our sincerest gratitude to the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department and all its volunteers over the 68 years for their service in helping to protect our residents, businesses, and community and for their pledge to work with the city to advance their mission to protect their East End community. Job well done!!” *********